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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 21, 2026

Pharmacological and Functional Genetic Assays to Manipulate Regeneration of the Planarian Dugesia japonica

Pharmacological and Functional Genetic Assays to Manipulate Regeneration of the Planarian Dugesia japonica

Published on: August 31, 2011

Genetically Programmable Self-Regenerating Bacterial Hydrogels.

Anna M Duraj-Thatte^1,2, Noémie-Manuelle Dorval Courchesne^2,3, Pichet Praveschotinunt^1,2

¹Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA.

Advanced Materials (Deerfield Beach, Fla.)

|August 13, 2019

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Engineered living materials (ELMs) were created using bacteria and curli nanofibers. These self-renewing hydrogels can be genetically programmed for targeted gut interactions and therapeutic functions.

Keywords:

curli fibers engineered living materials hydrogel mucoadhesive protein nanofibers self-regenerating material

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Last Updated: Jan 21, 2026

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Published on: August 31, 2011

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Published on: October 8, 2008

Area of Science:

Biomaterials Engineering
Synthetic Biology
Microbial Engineering

Background:

Designing engineered living materials (ELMs) faces challenges in resource assimilation and functional macroscopic material conversion.
Current limitations exist in programming cellular systems for specific material outputs and functions.

Purpose of the Study:

To demonstrate an engineered living material (ELM) using Escherichia coli and engineered curli nanofibers.
To create cell-laden hydrogels with tunable rheological properties.
To enable genetic programming for selective gastrointestinal tract interactions and therapeutic applications.

Main Methods:

Utilized Escherichia coli as the cellular chassis.
Engineered curli nanofibers as the extracellular matrix component.
Created cell-laden hydrogels by concentrating curli-producing cultures.
Modulated hydrogel rheological properties via genetic factors and processing.
Demonstrated genetic programming for targeted tissue interactions.

Main Results:

Successfully created living hydrogels from engineered Escherichia coli and curli nanofibers.
Achieved tunable rheological properties through genetic and processing modifications.
Demonstrated hydrogel growth and self-renewal capabilities under conducive conditions.
Showcased genetic programming for selective interaction with different gastrointestinal tract tissues.

Conclusions:

This work establishes a foundation for developing ELMs with therapeutic potential.
The developed hydrogels exhibit self-renewal and customizable functionalities.
The findings support the application of ELMs for extended residence times and targeted functions within the gut.